Top NBA Betting Picks for Thursday, September 24th
The NBA playoffs have picked up, and it’s been quite the show in both Conference Finals. Wednesday gave us an exciting game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat that came down to the wire. Tonight, the Denver Nuggets look to even up the series 2-2 after winning Game 3 versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here are my top NBA betting plays for September 24th, 2020. You can also check out our daily NBA consensus game odds here.
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LeBron James to double-double AND Lakers win (+114)
- LeBron has double-doubled in all three WCF games
- LeBron averages 23.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in the WCF
- LeBron has averaged 25.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in 13 playoff games
- LeBron has averaged 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in Game 4’s with L.A.
LeBron James recorded 30 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds in Game 3 for the Lakers. All three stats were team-highs, marking the third time in 13 playoff games he led the team across the board. He’s led the team in at least two-of-three main categories, points, rebounds, and assists, in eight-of-13 games.
James has dominated his first postseason with the Lakers as he chases his ninth NBA Finals appearance in his last 10 years. LeBron missing out on the playoffs in his first season with L.A. is giving the bubble in Orlando revenge vibes, and he’s clearly been unstoppable on the court.
In 13 postseason games, LeBron has averaged 25.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. Versus the Nuggets, he’s both one rebound and one assist short of averaging a triple-double in the WCF. He’s doing all he can for the Lakers and has only played more than 35 minutes in six-of-13 games.
The King has been well-rested throughout the playoffs, and we had to figure Denver would win one game. I’m expecting LeBron to lead the cavalry in Game 4 and record his ninth double-double or better in 13 playoff games.
The Lakers are six point favorites entering Game 4 and have won their previous Game 4’s by 15 points. For this bet on DraftKings Sportsbook, you’ll only need the ML. You can find this bet under player performance doubles.
Lakers 1H -3.5 (-114)
Before Game 3, Denver had lost seen-straight first-halves before leading the Lakers by 10 in Game 3. The Lakers, on the other hand, had won four-straight first-halves. Despite that first-half meltdown for the Lakers in Game 3, they still average 61.3 points per game in the first half of this series compared to the Nuggets’ 57.3.
L.A. is averaging 24.0 made field goals per game, and Denver is making 19.7 in the first half. Dating back to the semifinals, the Lakers lead all of the playoff teams with 60.6 points per game. Denver, on the other hand, averages 53.9 points per first half.
Over the entire postseason, the Lakers ranked first in first-half points per game with 61.4. Denver is 11th-of-16 with 54.0 points per first half. L.A. also leads the postseason in first-quarter points per game as the only team to average over 30 (31.1).
The Lakers are one of three teams to average 30 points per game in the second quarter (30.3), while the Nuggets average 27.9 (8th) and 26.1 (11th) in the second. I’d expect LeBron and Anthony Davis to come out angry and aggressive. Davis didn’t have a single rebound in the first half of Game 2, and that certainly won’t happen again in Game 4.
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Vaughn Dalzell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Vaughn, check out his archive or follow him @VaughnDalzell.